Glens backlash threat to Reds revival

Corinthian’s credentials will be put to their most severe test of whether they can break the top three as they face the threat of a wounded Glenanne. Two games inside 20 hours in the scorching Barcelona heat took its toll but there was enough in their defeat to European kingpins UHC Hamburg to suggest they are in fairly decent fettle. The backlash to dented pride could be severe.

Joe Brennan, though, will be out and faces a race against time to be ready for the World Cup Qualifiers due to a serious looking hand injury. They get underway on November 14 and Brennan’s absence would be a big blow to Paul Revington’s plans.

The sweeper has enjoyed a rejuvenated international career since the South African took over and has been a near ever-present in the past year. The initial prognosis last Sunday was three to four weeks.

The reds have Darren Kimfley back in the fold, a major influence when Corinthian tied 3-3 with the Glens before winning on strokes in the Mills’ quarter-final last season.

Three Rock and Monkstown is the other big game. Rovers have shown more flint than flair to date, grinding three wins in a row. Defensively, they have shown solidity but await the goals from Peter Blakeney and Sven Galjaardt – recently introduced to the fold after injury.

Charlie Henderson trained this week and could don the pads ahead of Stephen West who impressed last week in ALSAA.

In Monkstown, they play a side with the opposite issues. Eight scored and eight conceded from three league games tells their tale. Something has to give and if Watkins’ form last week and the potential corner threat from Andy Ewington or newcomer Matt Fairweather make this a shoot-out, this could be a fascinating battle.

In the Sandymount derby, Pembroke will hope there is no lingering hangover from their high-octane EHL adventure against Railway Union who relish the prospect of upsetting the homecoming.
Across town, the first division one, northside derby for a couple of years will see either Fingal or Clontarf get off the mark.

Mukhtar Ahmed made his debut for the Bulls last week after a couple of seasons in Sutton and provides a tricky outlet. Both sides need to get their scoring sticks functioning, though, if they are to escape a prolonged relegation scrap. YM and UCD face off for the second time in a week.

In division two, the top three face the bottom three though form or predictions have counted for little to date. Dublin Uni will hope to keep a measure of home advantage despite their move away from the Santry sands to the Grange Road water.

Steven Roberts, a match winner against Avoca, knows the ground well having moved just a month ago from Rovers. Former Trinity skipper Brian Scully, though, will hope to spoil the student’s plans as Weston make the quick trip around the M50.

The Lucanites will hope to make use of the high levels of possession they have enjoyed in recent times and stick a few goals away.

Table-toppers Suttonians face coastal rivals Bray while Navan’s competitive edge will be in effect when they host Avoca. The twin threats of Jamie Clabburn and Stephen Brownlow need to be contained, though, if Steven McGrath’s charges are to pick up their first win this term.

Leinster men’s fixtures (Saturday)
Division 1: Pembroke Wanderers vs Railway Union, 2pm, Serpentine Avenue; Clontarf vs Fingal, 2.15pm, Mount Temple; Three Rock Rovers vs Monkstown, 3pm, Grange Road; Corinthian vs Glenanne, 2.30pm, Whitechurch Park; YMCA vs UCD, 2pm, Alexandra College

Division 2: Navan vs Avoca, 12.30pm, King’s Hospital; Dublin University vs Weston, 1.15pm, Grange Road; Bray vs Suttonians, 2.30pm, Loreto Bray